Jim Guthrie's "Never Poor", off of his 2013 release, Takes Time, opens with a boozy horn and late night nicotine piano that recalls 70's Tom Waits and the dive bar openings found on his early records, but that is blasted against the wall by the rich fat sound of Guthrie and his band all jumping in on the same beat. And surprisingly, and pleasingly, that good feeling lasts just four beats before Guthrie increases the feel-good-vibe by exposing the heart of the song, a multi-tracked vocal which blends the magic of many great harmony bands of yesteryear (Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds, the Everly Brothers) together through his studio expertise and Andy Magoffin's mastering; add in the strength of the lyric and you've got something to come home to.
"Never Poor"
I am a wealthy man
But I'm in debt
So death to all my idle hands
Not dead yet
So bring the noise and rest assured
Never Poor
Late last night
Now we're on the mend
Lost the plot
You don't get change
From the time you spend
We sure spent a lot
Don't need to chase it anymore
Never poor
So eat drink sing melody
Don't be so angst-y
Know that you'll never have more
Might get what you ask for
Just know that you're never poor
Woke last night from the strangest dream
Heart beating fast
Ran outta time making time machines
Time won't last
It leaves in the night out our back door
But we're never sure
So eat drink sing melody
Don't be so angst-y
Know that you'll never have more
Might get what we ask for
Just know that you're never poor
It's you I adore
I know that I'm never poor
Song Credits
Jim Guthrie - guitars, vocals, synth
Evan Clarke - drums
Simon Osbourne - bass
Shaw-Han Liem - piano
JJ Ipsen - additional piano, bass clarinet
Andy Magoffin - horn on intro
Read the Sixeyes interview with Polaris Prize nominated, Jim Guthrie, here.
*Thanks to Scott of Bronx Cheerleader for inspiring this post by forcing me to re-listen.
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